Ann & Nancy Wilson honoring Led Zeppelin, 2012
Hands down, my favorite. This is flat out extraordinary. Jason Bonham's demeanor as he honors his father and the band. The emotion on Robert Plant's face, how clearly he's impacted by the performance. And then Ann Wilson's vocals. Earnest? Exquisite? Epic? Are there enough adjectives? This is a song that has in many circles become a bit of a punchline. Lumped in many ways with "Freebird" as classic rock cliches. But Ann Wilson grabs hold and reclaims it for the band. Breathtaking, amazing, stirring, can't say enough.
Steve Tyler honoring Paul McCartney, 2010
"Hey, who should we get to do the McCartney tribute?"
"How 'bout Steven Tyler? Yeah, he can do side 2 of Abbey Road!"
"What the?! Are you $#%&in' serious?!"
Okay, I don't know if that conversation literally occurred, but I've got to believe more than a few people had that sort of reaction to the decision. But then he gets out there, does what Steven Tyler does, he clearly loves the material, and it's awesome. This is my second favorite. The rest of these are in no particular order.
Bettye LaVette honoring The Who, 2008
I remember watching this and having absolutely no idea who Bettye LaVette was. And truth be told, I still don't. But her interpretation of "Love, Reign O'er Me" is amazing. It's a song about desperation, and she utterly captures that.
Libera honoring Brian Wilson, 2007
Wilson's own version of "Love and Mercy" isn't particularly remarkable. In fact, I'd call it an over produced, "synthed" out product of the 80's. But then you hear this performance and realize what a well written song it really is. And there's a symbolism about a boys choir singing this. How much of Wilson's youth, and life for that matter, was lost to an abusive father, drug abuse, and mental illness. And watching Wilson, he's stone faced throughout this performance. Is he overwhelmed? Is he trying to block out something that this stirs? Does he disconnect? Who knows. Then the beach balls start falling... there's something biographical happening here. The story of what Wilson truly wanted and needed in all of that chaos that took so much from him. It's quite beautiful.
Kid Rock honoring Elton John, 2004
Kid Rock covering "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" certainly isn't a stretch. But the idea that he's something of a "regular" performer at these shows, and would be the guy to get that crowd out of their seats, well, both of those ideas seem unlikely to say the least. And yet, there he is. Good stuff.
Garth Brooks honoring Billy Joel, 2013
No surprise that Garth would honor Billy Joel, he's been covering him in his shows forever. Clearly a fan. And you wouldn't consider Joel a writer of socially conscious, protest songs, but "Allentown" and "Goodnight Saigon" fall under that banner. Brooks does very faithful performances of both. But then you bring out a bunch of vets to join in on the chorus of "Goodnight Saigon"... heavy handed? Perhaps. But you get the lump in your throat nonetheless.
Norah Jones and Dave Grohl honoring Paul McCartney, 2010
Now this is definitely one of those pairings where you ask, "Who thought of that?" "Maybe I'm amazed" is one of my favorite McCartney tunes. And these two are not who I would think to put together to duet on this. But oddly enough, it works.
Honorable mention for Mavis Staples performance on this show, too. She really does a great job with "Let It Be" and "Hey Jude", but there was absolutely no need to pair her with James Taylor, who sucks the life out of his part of their duet.
Mavis Staples and Sam Moore honoring Al Green, 2014
Two classic soul singers singing a soul classic. "Take Me to the River." Oh yeah.
Lady Gaga honoring Sting, 2014
I'm not much of a Gaga fan, but damn if she doesn't sing the Hell out of "If I ever Lose My Faith." And she manages to wear a relatively subdued outfit.
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